Snatch-block.



No. 773,988. PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904.

- W. HOUGHTON.

SNATCH BLOCK.-

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17,1908.

NO MODEL.

WITNESSES." INVENTOR 0304440,? WzY/ard /70ay%i0 z 4. W M. 0%; B)

ATTORNEY Patented November 1, 1904.

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\VILLARD HOUGHTON, OF NOVELTY, WASHINGTON.

SNATCH-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '7 73,938, datedNovember 1, 1904. Application filed June 17,1903. Serial No. 161,809.(No model.)

To all whom, it 777/602] concern.-

Be it known that I, TILLARD HoUeH'roN, a citizen of the United States,residing at N ovelty, in the county of King and State of Washington,have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Snatch-Blocks, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to snatch-blockswherein an opening is provided inone of the blockcheeks to receive the bight of a rope; and the object ofthe invention is to produce a simple, durable, and inexpensive block ofthis class which will afford a more secure frame or support for thesheave and which can be more quickly opened for the reception or removalof the rope than by any other blocks which have come to my notice.

To attain the above-mentioned and other purposes, my invention consistsin novel and peculiar features of construction and arrangement of parts,as will be hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, shown partlyin vertical section, of a block constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontal section of the same.Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are perspective views of certain parts shown in theother views.

Referring to the drawings by letters, A A" designate the cheeks whichare connected at the tail end of the block by rivets or bolts 0,extending through a spreader or distancepiece 6. These parts constitutethe pulley frame or shell. One of the cheeks Ais integral, while theother is of two parts, of which a is the movable portion hinged on a pinlb.

0 designates a yoke (see Fig. 5) pivotally connected its extremities tothe head ends of the cheeks, the end 0 being permanently connected tothe undivided cheek, and the end a is adapted to be passed through anaperture a of and be detachably secured to the hinged portion of themovable cheek. The end 0 is for this purpose provided with a pe ripheralgroove (Z, whereby it is engaged with the concave end of a latch L,actuated by a retractile spring Z, both being positioned within achamber g of the cheek-strap f. The

rear end of the latch extends outside of the said chamber and is formedwith a bend or projection Z, whereby the latch may be withdrawn by thumbpressure from its engagement with the yoke end, and to protect the bendZ being accidentally struck by any object which might unlatch the yoke Iprovide upon the said cheek-strap shoulders or guards f at a shortdistance in advance of the forward side of the said bend.

E is an eyebolt having its shank e extend through and making swivelconnection with the said yoke.

S represents the sheave, which is mounted on an annular system ofbearing-rollers R, that revolve upon a two-part pintle-sleeve P, whichis provided with polygonal heads 9, which are each seated incorresponding-shaped recesses 01 of the cheek-straps in order to preventa-ny rotary motion thereof. A pinT extends through the sleeve to securethe same in axial alinement.

The rollers R (see Figs. 2 and 4:) show means for reducing the frictionbetween the sheave S and pin T and form no part of the presentinvention, and consist of cylindrical ends r and an intermediate collar1*, which rotate in grooves s and p of the sheave and pintle,respectively, for the purpose of preventing any endwise movement of therollers. The said sleeve is made in two parts in order to permit itsinsertion from opposite sides of the block. 7

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. In a snatch-block. the combination with a shell, of two cheeks one ofwhich is provided with a divided and hinged section, a yoke pivotallyconnected to the undivided cheek and to the hinged section of the othercheek, the end of the yoke engaging the hinged section being providedwith a peripheral groove, a latch guided in a chamber of said hingedsection, and adapted to engage said groove, and a retractile spring forengaging said latch-rod, substantially as set forth.

2. In a snatch-block, the combination with the shell, of two cheeks oneof which is provided with a divided and pivoted portion, a

yoke supported within the two cheeks, a peripheral groove in the end ofthe yoke which extends through the divided and pivoted cheek portion, aretaining-latch adapted to be engaged by the said peripheral groove,substantially as described.

3. In a snatch-block, the combination with the shell, of two cheeks oneof which is provided with a hinged portion, of a yoke pivotallyconnected to the undivided cheek and hinged portion of the other cheek,a peripheral groove in the yoke end which extends through the hingedcheek portion, a chamber in said hinged section adjacent to the groovein the yoke end, a latch guided in said cham- 5 her having at one endmeans for engaging the peripheral groove of the yoke end. and at theother end a projection to operate said latch, and a spring normallyholding said latch in engagement with said yoke, substantially assetforth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLARD HOUGHTON.

Witnesses:

PIERRE BARNES, HENRY S. NooN.

